Hulu's 10-Part Historical Drama Series Is One of the Best on Any Streaming Platform

Recent years have seen several major titles — Stranger Things, Squid Game, The Boys — reach or approach their ends, and their streamers and networks have hurried to fill the gaps. The massive streaming boom has had its drawbacks — too many shows, rapid-fire cancellations, long gaps between seasons — but it has also undoubtedly produced some of the strongest projects in recent memory. In fact, just a couple of years ago, FX and Hulu released a series that perfectly exemplifies all the best parts of the streaming era. Thanks to its incredible visuals and ambitious and risky story, it became a surprise hit and remains one of the best offerings on streaming. Two years later, Shōgun is still a series to watch.

'Shōgun' Is an Ambitious Show That Rewards Close Attention

Shōgun, adapted from author James Clavell's novel, has a sprawling narrative that covers many subplots, but the show largely focuses on the battle for control over 1600s Japan in the wake of the Taiko's death. Five lords have been appointed to be a council of regents for the Taiko's heir, but there is a plot to oust one lord in particular, Toranaga (Hiroyuki Sanada), who has his own tightly-held motivations for keeping control. The simmering power struggle is upended by the arrival of Englishman John Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), who faces a massive culture shock and must quickly learn how to navigate Japanese culture.

This is only scratching the surface of what Shōgun has to offer. It doesn't hesitate to plunge viewers into this historical time period, trusting them to keep up with the ever-shifting alliances and betrayals. It has drawn numerous comparisons to Game of Thrones when it comes to its immersive world and political machinations, and that notion isn't too far off, though Shōgun is very much its own series. Rather than using fantastical flourishes, it pays great respect to the time period it is set in and strives to be accurate to what feudal Japan was truly like, from the cultural customs to the encroaching influence of European religions.

It can be overwhelming at first, but after only an episode, it's easy to fall in line with Shōgun's world and become invested in its story. Toranaga's enigmatic plans would be enough to fuel the series — viewers are frequently left guessing over whether he's doing what he must for Japan or just wants full control for himself — but there are many other threads viewers must keep track of. In an era of distracted viewing, Shōgun is the type of show that forces its audience to put down their phones and be challenged by the story it's telling. That investment makes its explosive final episodes even richer as all the pieces fall into place and set up a new age for Japan.

'Shōgun' Is a Perfect Example of What Television Is Truly Capable Of

With just ten episodes, Shōgun masterfully told a story that could really only succeed on television. An expansive story like this one, filled with countless characters and a deeper history, needs the space to properly unfurl, and a movie — even if it ended up being three hours — just wouldn't cut it. Beyond that, Shōgun's keen attention to detail and its beautiful rendering of 1600s Japan — through its costumes, sets, and the actors' performances — is one that is best served by a TV show. With each episode, there's something new to appreciate, whether it be a new custom Blackthorne must learn or the assembly of an army. Impressively, though Shōgun does feature some action, its most compelling moments stem from the characters' evolving motivations.

And therein lies another key part of Shōgun's success: the cast. The series puts the spotlight on Japanese performers and gives them rich characters to play. Everyone from Toranaga to Blackthorne's unassuming consort, Fuji (Moeka Hoshi), incites intrigue. Sanada and Jarvis each get meaty roles and a compelling dynamic, but for many, Anna Sawai is the standout performer as the haunted yet loyal Mariko. She is someone who keeps her feelings hidden, yet Sawai conveys so much of her heart that she becomes a character you want to keep following. With additional strong supporting performances from Tadanobu Asano, Takehiro Hira, and Fumi Nikaido, Shōgun features a well-rounded ensemble of excellent actors who may not be familiar to Western audiences.

Following its incredible success, Shōgun pivoted from a miniseries to an ongoing drama with two more seasons on the way. It is expected that Shōgun Season 2, which is currently in production, will pick up roughly a decade after Season 1 and explore the new Japan that was left in the wake of Toranaga's meticulously crafted schemes. The series will return with some very high expectations attached, but considering how impressive its first season is, it'll likely rise to the occasion.